DOWNEY - Newly-elected councilman Fernando Vasquez selected resident Ernest "Ernie" Garcia to serve on the Planning Commission, where he will replace Terry Lambros in representing District 4 northeast Downey. The appointment was ratified by the City Council on Tuesday. Although Garcia has avoided the limelight locally he is no stranger to politics. He served as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in 2008, and this past June he co-hosted a fundraiser for former Los Angeles city attorney Rocky Delgadillo when he was running for attorney general. Garcia, the owner of a metal finishing company, also contributed $2,000 to Mayor Luis Marquez's campaign for City Council three years ago. Marquez, meanwhile, is expected to soon make his own appointment to the Planning Commission to replace Vasquez, who vacated his seat when elected to City Council. Vasquez made other appointments on Tuesday, including Connie Wetzstein to the Downey City Hospital Commission; Diana Carbaja and Lee Ann Sears to the Emergency Preparedness Committee; Karol Morrison to the Library Advisory Board; Carmen Vasquez and Augustin Duran to the Public Works Committee; James Veloff to the Recreation and Community Services Commission; and Jose Magana and Jonathan Cousimano to the Green Task Force.

********** Published: January 13, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 39